Removable anchored lung volume reduction devices and methods

Abstract

A method for treating a lung using an intra-bronchial device may be placed and anchored in an air passageway of a patient to collapse a lung portion associated with the air passageway. The method includes using an obstructing member that prevents air from being inhaled into the lung portion, and an anchor that anchors the obstruction device within the air passageway. The anchor may piercingly engage the air passageway wall. The anchor may be releasable from the air passageway for removal of the obstructing member. The anchor may be releasable by collapsing a portion of the obstructing member, or by drawing the obstructing member toward the larynx. The obstructing member may be a one-way valve.

1. A method of treating a lung, the method comprising:
 providing an air passageway device comprising an obstructing member having a distal end and a proximal end, the obstructing member comprises a support assembly having a plurality of support members, the plurality of support members extending in a proximal direction from the distal end, a resilient membrane coupled to the support members and when deployed in an air passageway the resilient membrane is dimensioned to communicate with a portion of the lung to preclude air from being inhaled, said air passageway device further comprising at least one anchor that anchors said obstructing member when said anchor is deployed, the at least one anchor positioned distal to the distal end of the obstructing member, the plurality of support members comprising proximal tips that are curved toward an axial center of the obstructing member, the plurality of support members curved between the distal end and the proximal tips to form a concave side and convex side, wherein the concave side faces the axial center of the obstructing member and the convex side faces a wall of the air passageway; 
 placing said obstructing member in the air passageway with a delivery catheter; 
 deploying said anchor; and 
 disengaging said delivery catheter from said obstructing member, wherein said obstructing member substantially precludes air from being inhaled after said delivery catheter is disengaged from said obstructing member. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said anchor is releasable for removal of said obstructing member. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said obstructing member forms a one-way valve when deployed. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of said obstructing member is collapsible. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  further comprising removing said obstructing member by drawing said obstructing member proximally. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising drawing said anchor proximally and removing said obstructing member. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein said device comprises a plurality of anchors and said plurality of anchors are drawn proximally. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said device comprises a plurality of anchors.